From Our Print Edition

‘WHOOPS, TYPO!’

In late October, Whole Foods started charging $9.95 per delivery. Here’s how Walmart helped spread the word.

“You may have heard that starting today, one grocery delivery service will start charging its customers $9.95 for every single delivery… That’s why, today only, Walmart is announcing that new customers who sign up for Walmart+, the membership that helps them save more time and money, will get $9.95 back. Because customers deserve a grocery delivery service that won’t leave a Whole in their wallet for delivery fees — whoops, typo.”

CONAGRA CEO CITES TRENDS IN FAMILY MEALS/SNACKING

Younger adults eat at home less than older generations. Shifting workplace dynamics are changing eating/snacking habits.

Sean Connolly

“Historically, younger adults have eaten at-home less than older generations. The meaningful shift towards at-home eating tends to happen during the family formation years. And particular, we know that annual frozen category spend per buyer increases in households with young kids, and it increases further as the kids grow up. Importantly, almost half of Millennials have yet to begin having kids and we fully expect their consumption of Conagra products will grow along with the growth of their families.

“Another enduring trend is the growth of snacking, which has long been the fastest growing occasion in food and shows no signs of slowing down. We have a very strong $2 billion ready-to-eat snacks business that spans multiple subcategories, where we either have the fastest-growing brand, the largest brand, or both. The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to accelerate these existing trends and create additional long-term growth drivers. One of the primary drivers for more at-home eating is the shifting workplace dynamics that are meaningfully changing weekday eating behavior.” — Sean Connolly, president and CEO, Conagra Brands, speaking with securities analysts in October.

KROGER KUDOS

Kroger’s meal solutions brand Home Chef has reached $1B in annual sales. The brand includes meal kits as well as heat-and-eat or ready-to-cook solutions that are available via subscription, in-store, or for pick-up or delivery. Meals recently promoted on the Kroger website included Heat and Eat Sunday Pot Roast With Roasted Vegetables, Heat and Eat Fajita Chicken With Yellow Rice, and Four-Cheese Pepperoni Sicilian Style Pizza. Founded in 2013 by Pat Vihtelic, Home Chef merged with Kroger in 2018. 

CONSUMERS LIKE BRAND ACTIVISM

Well, at least some of them do, according to a new Jungle Scout report.

Consumers are seeking greater accountability and transparency from brands, according to Austin, Texas-based Jungle Scout’s Consumer Trends Report for the third quarter.

—58% say a brand’s social activism impacts their impression of a brand — including whether they choose to buy from that brand.

—43% view brands more positively when they take a leading or active role in enacting social change; however, 15% of consumers view brand activism negatively.

—More than half say they would be more inclined to buy from brands or companies that treat their employees well, are transparent, and are locally sourced or eco-friendly.

The report, based on a survey of 1,100 consumers, is available at junglescout.com.

WMU’s FOOD CONFERENCE IS SET FOR MARCH 22-23

56th annual food marketing conference will be held in-person in Grand Rapids.

Speakers will address the changing food industry at Western Michigan University’s 56th annual Food Marketing Conference March 22-23. The in-person event will be at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The keynote speaker will be Indra Nooyi, former chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo. Other speakers include: Tony Sarsam, president and CEO, SpartanNash; Jason Dorsey and Mel Parker, best-selling authors and motivational speakers; Deborah Weinswig, CEO and founder, Coresight Research; Bryan Gildenberg, senior vp, commerce, Omnicron Commerce Group; Jim Snee, chairman, president and CEO, Hormel Foods; Leslie Sarasan, president and CEO, Food Industry Association (FMI); and Rick Keyes, president and CEO, Meijer.

For more information, Google “WMU Food Marketing Conference” or contact Lisa Youtzy, conference coordinator, at [email protected].